AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 27, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/Z. Qinwen

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: We will start with English questions first.

Q. Tough luck today. Can you just talk a little bit, just your thoughts on the match, kind of what was the difference and what made her so difficult today.

ZHENG QINWEN: I think in this match I'm start pretty slow. Also, I didn't play my tennis there.

I think the different is the beginning, I can't hold the service game. Then later on, when I got the chance to break her 40-Love up and I'm not able to make it. You know, that little moment makes the match so different. You know, if I play against Sabalenka's this level, if you don't take this chance the match went away really fast.

She's a really aggressive player. If you let a chance go, it will happen like today.

Yeah, there is nothing more I can say in the match. Yeah, because basically I think I could done much better than that.

Q. How nervous were you before your first Grand Slam final? You've never experienced it like this before. What did it feel like for you in the hours before the match and walking onto the court and during the match itself?

ZHENG QINWEN: If you talk about nervous, actually was okay. But I just feel I'm starting pretty slow. There is a chance I didn't get. But if you talk about nervous, was fine. I think the different is Aryna, she has much more, you know, she take away the rhythm compared to the other player. So, yeah, that's the different.

Q. Aryna obviously has a very aggressive game style, both in serve and also on return. Is she the most intimidating player to face in world tennis at the moment, having her standing on the court and dealing with everything that she throws at you?

ZHENG QINWEN: I would say first of all to play against her I think is so important to hold your own service game, because she had a really good serve, as well. Yeah, but I couldn't do that, especially the beginning, I was 0-2 down.

Yeah, I mean, she's obviously aggressive, but yeah, I have to hold more the ball of her, and in the same time be the same aggressive like she is.

Yeah. And today's match, I didn't perform my best. That's really pity for me, because I really want to show better than that, yeah.

Q. In light of just losing that final, is it difficult to convince yourself that you have to be patient and that you still are only 21? It might be a longer process.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, actually it is difficult, you know. Also, maybe I have to work more on my tennis, also work more on my mental side, work more on myself to be able to through this moment.

Because if you lose, there must be reason behind why you lose, and we have to try to figure out why and then come back stronger and better next time.

Q. Congratulations for making the final. It's only your ninth major tournament, and you've played for the championship. Do you feel a level of positivity just because of that?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, I can feel that. Generally improve bit by bit. Obviously, you know, I think Sabalenka is one of the most tough opponents I have been face. Yeah, but I think I need to improve more myself for be able to face these kind of situation for the next time.

Q. What are you most proud of for the two weeks that you have played here? What do you pat yourself on the back for?

ZHENG QINWEN: I would say there is lot of difficult matches for me on the way, and I'm able to hold that difficult moment and trying to win the match even I wasn't play my best tennis, I wasn't feeling that good there.

Actually, I think I can learn more with the loss today, and then I just hope next time I can come back as a better tennis player and come back, yeah, stronger.